Secrecy surrounding foster children disputed by minister

Review says foster kids denied basic information

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The province's freedom of information officer's report says former foster children are not being told why they were removed from their biological family, where they came from, or if their family had a history of health issues, among other things.

Nova Scotia's community services minister is challenging the accuracy of a recent report that suggests her department is routinely denying basic information to former foster children seeking answers about their family history.

Joanne Bernard took aim today at a report released last week by Dulcie McCallum, the province's freedom of information officer.

Bernard says she has asked for a meeting with McCallum because the report contains misinformation.

The report says the Community Services Department is ignoring previous practice and the law through an incorrect interpretation of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

McCallum says former foster children used to be granted access to their records but the department has moved away from this long-standing practice for reasons that contradict the intent of the province's freedom of information laws.

Bernard says her department is following the letter of the law, and she suggested it was wrong to suggest former foster children are getting less information about their family history than they used to.